The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) voted and released the preseason poll. Nebraska recieved 15 first place votes, second to Texas who recieved 46. This poll includes all the usual suspects in college volleyball and is largely based on last season.
The coaches have knowledge of the roster for all the other teams but having not seen them play together, this poll is an educated guess. Coaches are largely voting on the strength of the program and the past results that program achieved.
Last years preseason poll had Nebraska tied for 5th with Pittsburgh. By the end of the season those two teams met in the final four match, Nebraska won in three sets.